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Falmouth 'witches' convicted of child abuse

Two men from Falmouth have been convicted of child abuse following a trial involving paganism and witchcraft.

Peter Petrauske, 72, who at the time of his arrest last December was living at The Beacon, was convicted unanimously by a jury at Truro Crown Court of rape between January 1988 and January 1991 and of aiding and abetting attempted rape by person unknown between November 1982 and November 1985.

He was acquitted of one charge of indecent assault between January 1988 and January 1991.

Sixty-nine-year-old Jack Kemp, of Grenville Road, was convicted unanimously of one indecent assault between November 1982 and November 1984.

He was also convicted by a 10-2 majority of seven offences of indecent assault or sexual activity with a child between February 2001 and February 2005.

He was unanimously convicted of one sexual activity with a child between February 2006 and February 2007.

Kemp was acquitted of four charges of sexual activity with a child between February 2005 and February 2009.

During the trial the jury heard evidence that made reference to a coven on white witches, with other witnesses speaking of men in hooded black robes and ornamental knives.